Goodbye Dyad shock, hello Gemini with carbon link

Last year, we spotted a new prototype Jekyll under 2013 Enduro World Series champion Jerome Clementz. Flash forward and this week, Cannondale has unveiled two new 27.5 platforms based on that design.

The shorter travel Trigger bears a startling resemblance to its longer travel sibling.

First up is the Jekyll, a purebred enduro race machine that sports 165mm of travel out back, 170 up front, and will be piloted by both Jerome Clementz and Marco Osborne at races around the world. Meanwhile, the new Trigger has 145mm of rear travel and a 150mm fork, making it the kind of bike you can pedal all day and then flog downhill.

Goodbye DYAD, hello Gemini.

Frame Features

While these two bikes have distinct personalities, they share many of the same technologies. Let’s start with the suspension. If you’re familiar with past Cannondale models, you know they relied on a unique three chamber pull-shock that allowed you to adjust travel on the fly. The new models ditch this system in favor of a more traditional shock.

Now before you start getting all bleary eyed about how awesome and efficient the old Dyad system was, don’t worry. Cannondale has designed a new system dubbed Gemini in collaboration with Fox that uses a handlebar actuated remote to offers riders two different ride modes.

Despite all the changes, the frame still utilizes a linkage driven single pivot configuration.

For maximum pedaling efficiency and snappy handling, there’s the “Hustle” mode which reduces shock travel by 20%. If you want to shred the gnar, you can bump the remote to activate “Flow” mode and achieve full travel.

The system works by reducing the air volume of the shock in Hustle mode. According to Cannondale PR manager Justin McCarthy, there is little change in the initial part of the stroke but as the suspension gets deeper into the travel, it gets more progressive until it is too progressive to compress more.

The carbon link helps shave weight and increases stiffness.

The shock bolts up to a carbon link, which is found on all models, regardless of price. Cannondale felt it was important to use carbon for this application because of the weight savings and additional stiffness. Underneath the linkage, there’s room to clear a water bottle.

The frame has a myriad of routing options including Di2.

Cable routing is an all internal affair. There are no in molded tubes, but Cannondale claims the ports are large enough to make routing simple. They’re also highly modular. You can easily configure the bike to accommodate 1x, 2x, or Di2 drivetrains, a shock remote, and whatever brake setup you’d prefer.

Trigger Geometry

Now that we’ve made it through the technology the frames share, let’s talk about the differences. Both bikes were built with the long/slack/low philosophy in mind, but the Trigger is biased towards more all mountain duties. You know, that old quiver killer trope.

With the stock 150mm fork, the bike has a 66-degree head angle, which is in line with models like the Santa Cruz Bronson and Pivot Mach 6. To dial the fun factor to 11, they’ve slammed the chainstays. At just 420m mm (or 16.5”), they’re among the shortest of any big brand. And to make the thing climb like a Billy goat on EPO, the bike has a steep 74.5 degree seat tube angle.

The Cannondale Jekyll is available in four frame sizes.

Jekyll Geometry

With a 65-degree head angle, the Jekyll is a half degree slacker than the new Specialized Enduro. It also has an upright 75-degree seat angle, long front/center, and short 420mm chainstays.

Trigger or Jekyll?

Trigger versus Jekyll

The Trigger and Jekyll share many of the same technical features, including the Gemini shock and carbon link. But that’s where the similarities end. Geometry wise, the two siblings are miles apart. The Jekyll is a full degree slacker, has an 1” longer front/center, and stretched out wheelbase. The Trigger has a steeper seat angle and lower BB.

We haven’t ridden either, but based on the numbers it’s pretty obvious that the Jekyll is built for the rigors of high level enduro racing. The Gemini shock configuration will likely ensure that it pedals more efficiently than most bikes in the same class, but the Trigger might be a better option for those looking for a one bike garage. We look forward to getting saddle time on both bikes.

The top of the line Cannondale Jekyll and Trigger both retail for $7450.

Prices for the Cannondale Jekyll start at $3200 and top out at $7450 for the model pictured above. There are four different build kits available. The Trigger starts out at $4000 and tops out at $7450. It’s available in three model and one women’s specific version.

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